The #1 source for immediate, long-term relief for dogs suffering from degenerative diseases like hip dysplasia, OCD and arthritis.

We are specialists in the treatment of canine joint disease and its accompanying pain.

Let us help put an end to your dog’s suffering, joint stiffness, pain, immobility, and poor quality of life. Our proven products will help you easily accomplish this without the use of drugs or invasive surgery.

Joint Issues

Hip Dysplasia

Arthritis

Osteochondritis (OCD)

Stiffness/Inflammation

Ligament Tears

Growing Pains

Mobility Problems

Joint Pain

Back/Spinal Problems

Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (HOD)

Symptoms

Is your pet becoming less active, less playful, or desiring shorter walks? The following symptoms could be early signs of OCD, Arthritis or Hip Dysplasia.

Posts Tagged ‘Dog Arthritis’

Dogs with OCD (or Osteochondrosis) suffer a great deal of pain and mobility issues.

When a dog has OCD, fragments of bone and cartilage become detached from larger bones and end up floating around the area encompassing a dog’s joints. The result is that any movement in the joint where those fragments are located will cause a dog to suffer from severe pain.

What is Osteochondrosis (OCD)

OCD is a congenital problem that usually affects only larger dogs who seem to be predisposed to the condition.

The best way to understand the true cause of this condition is that it is a disease of the cartilage that results in large pieces of cartilage and bone becoming detached and floating freely. This causes a dog with OCD a lot of pain.

There are several variations of osteochondrosis (OCD), and all typically affect the dog’s joints at the ankle, shoulder, elbow and knee on one or both sides of a dog’s body.

The different types of OCD are distinguished by their location on a dog’s body. They are also differentiated from each other based on the severity and the primary cause of the condition.

It’s more common for OCD to affect the forelimbs than a dog’s hind feet and legs.

Symptoms of OCD in dogs

To properly treat and identify OCD in your pet, you need to be able to recognize the symptoms of this disease. OCD can develop at any stage of a dog’s life, although it is more common in younger dogs than in older ones.

Dogs with OCD will show some of the following warning signs:

Pain when the affected limb is touched;

Muscle degeneration on the affected side of the dog’s body;

A general limitation of movement;

Lameness or difficulty moving around.

How to diagnose and treat OCD in dogs

A veterinarian will diagnose osteochondrosis using a series of X-ray tests.

Treatment of the disease requires lifestyle changes. The dog’s exercise routine must be changed to ensure that the dog can remain active and suffer fewer mobility problems.

Dogs suffering with joint diseases like OCD, arthritis, bursitis, hip dysplasia and other degenerative problems with the shoulders, elbows and hocks can find immediate and long-term relief without drugs with a regular regimen of Winston’s Joint System, a combination of three, totally-natural whole food supplements developed by a Naturopathic Doctor for his own dog. Winston’s contains no drugs and there are no side-effects.

Winston’s Pain Formula is another product proven to be fast acting and highly effective in relieving the pain in a dog caused by these diseases. Both of these products help your dog to recover much faster.

Dogs with OCD will require a change in diet and careful observation to prevent overfeeding and weight gain which contribute to damage of the joints due to OCD. Work with your vet to determine if your dog’s diet is properly supporting its joint health or if it can be changed to be more effective.

Since 1990, Winston’s Joint System and Winston’s Pain Formula have helped heal over twenty thousand dogs from all over the world. Our staff specializes in hip dysplasia, arthritis and all joint, pain and mobility issues.

There is an excellent chance we can help your dog, so please contact us at: www.dogshealth.com or call our toll free number at 888-901-5557.

An orthopedic dog bed provides more support for a dog’s joints and muscles when it’s suffering from hip dysplasia or arthritis.

An orthopedic bed with special cushioning can help your dog feel more comfortable and provide the extra cushioning to allow it to get a good night’s sleep.

An orthopedic dog bed helps absorb the dog’s weight and distributes it evenly over its body. It will also help soothe the muscles of an active dog that frequently jogs with its owner or expends a lot of energy running around on its own.

Some additional advantages of sleeping on an orthopedic bed are that the bed helps cushion a dog’s joints and bones; is ideal for older dogs prone to aches and pains; helps dogs with arthritis; young dogs with hip dysplasia have less strain placed on their joints as they grow; the beds prevent a dog’s body from creating compression points that intensify orthopedic conditions; and the beds relieve pressure that can cause your dog pain, discomfort and muscle aches.

One of the best orthopedic dog beds you can buy is the Canine Cooler dog bed. It’s non-electric, non-toxic, paw-puncture proof, and easy to clean. Fleas hate the cool environment but dogs love it.

The Canine Cooler dog bed uses SoothSoft Comfort Technology to give your dog comfort that is second to none. The fluid-enhanced design offers a dry, lasting cooling effect, combined with a superior cushioning support. No refrigeration is necessary; SoothSoft Comfort Technology works at room temperature.

The Canine Cooler bed is puncture proof and completely maintenance free. Other pet beds allow fleas to burrow and lay eggs, but the smooth surface of the Canine Cooler bed is easily wiped clean. It’s outer membrane is 20 mil thick – tough enough to park a truck on and not pop! The bed is guaranteed against claw puncture for two years. And as tough as this membrane is, you can rest assured that it will not harm your dog should the bed be chewed by accident.

The Canine Cooler Bed is one of the leading orthopedic dog beds available today. It activates with water; no electricity is needed; the cold therapy soothes inflammation and painful joints; it is non-toxic and safe for the environment; and is useful for a variety of therapeutic applications.

Since 1990, Winston’s Joint System and Winston’s Pain Formula have helped heal over twenty thousand dogs from all over the world. Our staff specializes in hip dysplasia, arthritis and all joint, pain and mobility issues.

There is an excellent chance we can help your dog, so please contact us at: www.dogshealth.com or call our toll free number at 888-901-5557.

If your dog is substantially overweight or obese like one fourth of all dogs in the United States, you should begin feeding your pet a low carb dog food which can be beneficial to any overweight or obese pet.

Dogs are able to maintain an appropriate weight consuming almost any dog food on the market as long as they don’t over-indulge at mealtimes, are not fed too many treats and snacks at other times, and are getting enough exercise. But even for dogs who are not overweight or obese, a low-carb diet can help avoid health problems later in life.

Obese dogs are at risk for diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, hip dysplasia, and metabolic disorders. A low-carb diet is a necessity for dogs that are overweight and for dogs diagnosed with diabetes.

Dogs are omnivores which means they eat meat and vegetables, including fruits and grains. But considering the evolution of dogs who originated from the wolf, it makes sense that over-feeding your dog with grains like wheat and corn is not a good idea.

Dog’s bodies were designed for diets that are low in sugar and refined starches, and the high doses of carbohydrates a dog consumes when eating manufactured dog foods are not healthy. It may shock you to know that most commercial dog foods contain between 30% to 70% carbohydrates.

In addition to the high doses of carbs, many dog foods contain filler ingredients such as corn meal and starches. These ingredients, along with animal by-products which are the leftovers from other food processing, are unfit for human consumption. The reason they are added to dog food is to provide cheaper ingredients for the manufacturer and make a dog feel full faster without providing the nutrients a dog needs; something akin to fast food for humans.

Dog food ingredients you should try to avoid include wheat, corn, cornmeal, yellow corn and whole grain corn, brewer’s rice, cereals, and potatoes. All of these are filler ingredients that are very high in carbs.

There are many good brands of low-carb dog foods. Some come in the form of raw and dehydrated foods which are beneficial to a dog’s health because they are higher in nutrients. Several brands use entirely grain-free recipes as well as hormone-free turkey and meat.

Check for pet foods that are lower in carbs by examining the ingredients. Look for a low carbohydrate and high protein content in the food. Some of the ingredients to look for are beef, chicken, lamb, turkey or pork. Never give your dog any food containing “animal meal” or “animal fat.” This is a red flag for very poor-quality dog food.

Dog foods containing vegetables and fruits are also good for your dog and provide many of the nutrients missing in meat. Many low carb dog foods may also contain apples, bananas, cranberries, spinach, carrots, and celery.

Low carb dog foods with these ingredients are healthy for dogs in all stages of life, from puppies to senior dogs. Just remember to avoid all dog foods containing grains and buy those with real meat, fruits and vegetables.

Elbow dysplasia in dogs is a painful degenerative condition that affects popular breeds of large dogs like Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Great Danes.

What is elbow dysplasia

Elbow dysplasia is caused by an abnormality that forms in a puppy’s elbow joint and affects proper development of the elbow. Elbow dysplasia is genetic and usually reveals itself in the early stages of a dog’s life, often as early as six months of age. Because elbow dysplasia is a genetic disease, veterinarians are still unsure of what causes it.

The ailment occurs when a piece of bone or cartilage breaks and interferes with the development of a proper joint structure in the dog’s elbow, causing a great amount of pain in the elbow joint.

Fortunately there are treatments that can help correct and lessen the discomfort for a dog with this disease.

Signs of elbow dysplasia in dogs

The first signs of elbow dysplasia display themselves by a dog limping or avoiding any pressure on the affected leg. If both elbows develop dysplasia, a dog will have great difficulty standing up or walking.

Early recognition of the first signs of elbow dysplasia can prevent further damage to the developing elbow joint if the dog is put under the care of a veterinarian. If the condition is allowed to worsen it will cause greater pain and discomfort as the dog begins to get older.

Treatment options of elbow dysplasia in dogs

The most common treatments for a dog with elbow dysplasia are medical or aerobic rather than surgery.

• A special diet may be recommended to help maintain a lower weight, thereby relieving excessive pressure on the joints.

• A vet may also instruct you to limit the dog’s exercise to help correct the abnormality through regular movement while keeping the level of injury low.

• Pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs are usually prescribed when the pain is severe.

• Although surgery is not as commonly recommended, it can help. The affected bone or cartilage is removed and the veterinary surgeon will use pins and screws to re-attach the bones that did not grow together correctly.

Almost all treatments prescribed for elbow dysplasia in dogs will help the animal live a normal life after approximately one or two years of treatment, at which point the dog usually shows no signs of the condition.

Since 1990, Winston’s Joint System and Winston’s Pain Formula have helped heal over twenty thousand dogs from all over the world. Our staff specializes in hip dysplasia, arthritis and all joint, pain and mobility issues.

There is an excellent chance we can help your dog, so please contact us at: www.dogshealth.com or call our toll free number at 888-901-5557.

Do you walk your dog once a day, twice a day, or sometimes more? How often do you need to walk your dog?

A dog needs to be walked regularly, both for exercise and for potty breaks. Walking your dog is also important for both its physical and mental health. There is no concrete answer to how often a dog needs to be walked, but there are some general guidelines you can follow.

Some dogs only need to be walked once a day, while others will need four or more daily walks. Before my own dog became pretty much immobile from hip dysplasia and arthritis, he needed to go on four or five daily walks, although I always suspected he didn’t really need that many walks but just wanted to get out and scope the neighborhood as often as he could.

The average dog needs at least two short walks every day. Fifteen minutes or less is usually enough for most dogs, especially small ones, so they can take care of their physical needs while getting in a little exercise for good health.

Some of the factors that determine how often you need to walk your dog include the following:
(1) If you work long hours, you may only be able to take your dog out once in the morning before work, and again when you come home;
(2) The size of the dog; smaller dogs need fewer and shorter walks;
(3) The breed of the dog, because some dogs have small bladders;
(4) The energy level of your dog. A dog with a high energy level needs longer or more frequent walks to expend excess energy;
(5) The type of food you feed your pet. Feeding a dog solid foods like kibble doesn’t require potty breaks as often as does a dog who eats a diet of mainly soft foods.

Regardless of the type of food, a dog will need short walks to urinate and exercise.

If your dog comes down with diarrhea, you’ll obviously need more frequent walks to prevent accidents from happening. If your dog becomes ill and is not able to go outside, you’ll have to avoid walks until your dog feels better.

One of the real, measurable benefits to walking your dog is that it provides the dog with exercise, which is necessary to prevent obesity and muscle atrophy, and it gives you the opportunity to exercise by walking which will help increase both your stamina and health.

One additional benefit to walking your dog is that you’ll meet lots of new people who want to pet your dog and possibly strike up a conversation with you. You might be amazed if you knew how many people ended up eventually marrying after first having had a friendly conversation about their pet dogs.

Married couples can also look forward to meeting friendly neighbors with whom they may eventually become close friends with. But single women should beware of the single guy who adopts a pet dog for the sole purpose of meeting attractive, single women on his daily dog walks.